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Absentee Ballots and Early Voting

In the U.S., Election Day is the first Tuesday in November, which is very inconvenient for OTR truck drivers. If you're going to be away from home on that day, you can apply for an absentee ballot from your general registrar. If your state particpates in early voting, you can vote on one of the alternate days as directed by your registrar.

The process was very easy in Virginia. I went online and found my state's website that covers voting laws. I was able to find the absentee ballot request form that I printed off and filled out to mail in to my general registrar. In order to qualify for an absentee ballot, you must present a valid reason for voting that way. Not wanting to wait in long lines isn't one of them. The valid reasons included:

Your job taking you from your voting district

A vacation taking you from your voting district

Your work hours prevent you from voting

Active Duty Military

Confinement

Handicapped

There isn't much time left to request an absentee ballot. In my state, the deadline by mail is October 15th, but there are other options all the way to November 1st. I hope all of you will take advantage of this option and do your civic duty to vote for our leaders this Election Day. Remember, if you don't vote, you can't complain!